Yuriorkis Gamboa: "Pacquiao is very combative, but he's nothing special"

[fightingfigs]

Gamboa has LOADS of skill. His speed is incredible.

The Pac might stop him if Gamboa doesnt keep his guard up. I think the pacman is a bit stronger and has a wicked left that would freak gamboa out.

But the pac hasnt fought a speedy fighter like gamboa ever the dude is amazing he has definite potential.

I would put my money on gamboa if they fought at 127-130

[JoartCC]

Interview with f i g h t b e a t.com before the darling jimenez fight.


Yuriorkis, tell us a little bit about your Olympic experience in 2004.

Well I remember everything about the Olympics. Remember, to become an Olympic champion isn’t a one-year job. It’s 4 grueling years of training.

It was reported on television that you fought over 400 amateur fights.

Actually I fought 425 fights.

That’s incredible. Who has given you your toughest fight as an amateur or pro?

Well I had two really tough fights. Those fights came when I was in the Olympic Games. I hit them with everything and I just couldn’t hurt them.

You’ve been a pro for little over a year and have fought less than 25 rounds as a pro. You are already ranked #5 in the world. Are you happy with how your career is moving, or do you think everything is happening too fast?


Actually I’m quite pleased with how my career is going. Nothing has happened that wasn’t expected of me. I was the top amateur in the world, and I’ve taken the leap into the pro ranks where I also plan on being the best. Plus, I don’t care how many fights my opponents have, bring ‘em on.

In the USA the people really look at pro fights and maybe overlook their amateur experience. Like for me someone might say that I only have 5 or 6 fights and this guy has 15 or 20 so that’s not a good fight. It’s a bad match-up. But it really doesn’t matter to me.


[full interview]

Yuri is nothing special.

He's just talking coz he wants a piece of it.

Only a dumb ox will fall for this one.

[krispy kreme]

you think Gamboa will keep his hands down against pacquiao? with all the complicated movements, defensive reflexes and counter punching ablility, I think keeping his hands up might be the simplist thing to learn if he hasn't learned it already. I think he was just doing that against Jiminez cuz Jimi isn't considered to be a dangerous puncher. and I don't think Gamboa's knockdown was a big deal cuz he was unfased from it. I think it was more of a case of being off balanced, but I do think it was a legit kd cuz he did go off balance as a result of the punch.

I always said that when Gamboa got KD it did not look like he was hurt. And no I don't think he will keep his hands down against future opponents. Judging from the expression on his face when he won the fight he look disappointed. I know he will make the improvement, because he already has everything else in his arsenal. If you read the interview he said that keeping his hands down was a habit that spawned from his childhood boxing days, so if you've boxed you should know that sometimes it's hard slipping out of those habits, even if it's as simple as keeping your hands up.

Against Pacquiao it won't be as easy as your making out, manny is very fast and he can slip punches very well. It will be difficult for Gamboa at this level because Manny is also heavy handed & aginst jimexez Gamboa left himself open. I'm not saying Gamboa can't win the fight, I'm just taking everything into account (Something people don't do much on this site and thats why they are often wrong), he was and is still my favorite prospect.